The Gold Standard For Town-Gown Relations

A conference Of Univeristy city mayors praises the Penn-Philadelphia relationship as a 'model of the way universities and cities can work together'.

1 minute read

November 21, 2005, 1:00 PM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen


As Philadelphia's largest employer Penn has worked together with the city on housing, business and a K-8 public school partnership. "During a three-day conference about universities' relationships with their cities, Providence, R.I., Mayor David Cicilline said that Penn has been "the model of the way universities and cities can work together."

"Former Penn President Judith Rodin, who attended the conference, worked to revitalize the community during her 10-year term through the West Philadelphia Initiatives.

"What universities had to learn was to be a good citizen," Rodin said. "For many of us, that was a very hard lesson to learn. ... We have to better appreciate the part of the sector that isn't going to leave."

Thanks to CollegeTownLife

Friday, November 18, 2005 in The Daily Pennsylvanian

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

July 4 - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business